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Precocious	By : PupshitDesu Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1860 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: We do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any associated properties therein. We do not profit from the creation of this work.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
Watching from afar through his bedroom window, Seto wasn't quite sure what to make of the production that was happening outside. He could clearly see Isono and Damian standing near the black Bentley parked up in front of the mansion's driveway, but nothing else. Gozaburo must have been hiding in the limo, because that would be the only person both men would bother speaking to while waiting in the Japanese heat for so long. It was still hot out, and one of the reasons why Seto didn't go outside all that often.
That, and the fact he wasn't allowed off the grounds. Sure, the Kaiba Estate was huge and plenty big for exploring, but after five years living there, he wasn't so excited about going out alone. Sometimes with Mokuba it would be fun, finding weird shit in the woods and poking through brush to find baby rabbits and what not hiding in the grass, but still.
Seto was fifteen years old. He had turned fifteen years old on one of the warmest October days in decades, and despite it nearly being November, he didn't feel like the weather was ever going to let up. Going outside to face the insane heat did not appeal to him, so instead, he hid in his room, watching as he waited for someone to call him down to greet his "father".
Lip curling and eyes narrowing as he finally saw Gozaburo leave the car and walk out toward the house, Seto folded his arms and snorted. The old man was still wearing that hideous red pinstripe jacket, despite it being so out of fashion; people often made smart remarks over it. He almost felt embarrassed for the man, but it was his own image problem, and Seto had no part in it.
Really, he had no part in anything. It pissed him off that his guardian didn't trust him enough to give him more responsibility at Kaiba Corp, insisting he keep studying instead of learning actual business skills, but Seto believed that maybe a small part of Gozaburo feared what would actually happen if he was there all the time. Sure, he had the title of Vice-President of the company, but he didn't have any real control. It was like a big show, how smart Seto was and how he "managed the business", when no one actually believed he could.
And that was the greatest insult Gozaburo could have ever dealt upon him...
"Master Seto, your presence is being requested in the foyer. Your father would like to speak to you," informed one of the maids, bowing before she left the room.
Seto didn't have time to so much as nod to her before she swept out, either. Everyone in the house walked on eggshells, regardless of station or importance. No one wanted to be in the same room as the master of the house, and were nervous even around his charges. Namely Seto, who wasn't notorious for torturing the staff, but Gozaburo was unpredictable as to what was and wasn't allowed. He likely would disapprove of consorting with the servants.
He made his way through the sprawling rooms and hallways of the mansion until he reached the foyer, where Gozaburo was waiting. Seto hated the way the man looked at him, with an odd mix of disdain and smugness. It made his skin crawl, especially when their eyes met and held. He knew every time they so much as locked gazes it was a challenge; Gozaburo was daring him not to look away.
"You called for me?" Asked Seto, descending the stairs and standing at the bottom. He preferred to keep a good distance between them, lest he get a condescending muss of his hair or a heavy hand clapping down on his shoulder. He'd always been something of a touch avoider, but he'd never known he could hate a person's touch that way. Gozaburo didn't so much as touch as grab at him, and there was something sinister about the way he went about doing it...
"Yes, I have a gift for you."
Gozaburo was practically beaming, all his teeth showing as he motioned to Damian, who stood next to him. He was carrying a box of some sort in his hands, and he was grinning too, in a way that often bothered Seto. It was like his adoptive father was trying to hire the most unsettling human beings he could, just to make his life even more unpleasant than it already was.
"You don't think I forgot about your fifteenth birthday, do you Seto?" Asked Gozaburo, his eyes lying as they both knew he didn't celebrate holidays like birthdays. Unless, of course, if there was anything for him to gain by it.
"I assumed, Father, that I would be celebrating it alone with Mokuba again. As I prefer to."
"I have no intentions to threaten your preference," Gozaburo replied, his tone opposing his words for the fact that he sounded more as if he was issuing a warning, "However, I have chosen to present you with a gift."
"What have I done to possibly deserve something from you, pray tell?" Inquired Seto, his expression blank but eyes dark. He didn't even try hiding his animosity; everyone knew how much he hated Gozaburo, and it was even becoming more evident at Kaiba Corp...
"Nothing," Gozaburo replied, not even bothering with sarcasm or false kindness. Seto knew he was reminding him of his place. The infuriating part was that it worked, to an extend. In the end, no matter how snide he was toward his guardian, there was nothing he could do to change his actions or decisions. And every time Gozaburo gave him the crossroads to accept or defy it, he had to back down.
"Well that's a relief, I wouldn't want to make a habit of you actually being generous," he said rather daringly, before thinking maybe it wasn't a good idea being so disrespectful in front of the staff. He'd get angry no doubt, and Seto knew he'd be punished for his insubordination later, in private, but he didn't care. The opportunity was too great to pass up.
However, the anger he'd anticipated didn't come. Gozaburo's expression remained one of self-satisfied anticipation, as if he had already won the game they were playing and was simply waiting for Seto to run out of moves. There was a slight glimmer in his eyes that promised retribution, either soon or down the road, but he didn't act on it.
"Nor would I. However, so special an occasion as your fifteenth birthday warrants more attention."
Damian stepped forward just then, cutting their conversation short. The old butler had a lidded cardboard box in his arms. There were holes in the sides and top, and odd rustling sounds could be heard from it. Seto knew already what it was, but schooled his face against a reaction. He didn't know where Gozaburo intended to take this yet. Damian didn't seem to be approaching him to give him his so-called present, but rather appeared to be looking past him. When Seto turned, following his gaze, he saw Mokuba standing near the base of the staircase railing.
He resisted looking confused or turning a questioning gaze on Gozaburo, and instead watched as Mokuba apprehensively took the box and worked the lid off. Mokuba didn't know Gozaburo's mind games as well as Seto did, but he wasn't a stupid kid. At ten years old, he was well aware that his adoptive father was not a nice person. Still, he looked hesitantly excited to see just what was in the mysterious gift box.
Once the lid was loose, it was immediately thrown off by what was inside. A dog, as Seto had suspected. More specifically, it was a fluffy-haired puppy, one that looked as if it had been just weaned. Which was probably the only reason it fit in the box, seeing as it was a shiba. Mokuba was surprised, but managed not to drop the creature that had shocked him. Instead, he gaped in surprise, and slowly grinned, grabbing the dog and holding it up as it kicked around and wagged its tail in excitement.
Seto wanted very much to tear the dog away from his brother, but he couldn't. There were people watching, and Gozaburo was standing there, trying to figure out his reaction. He couldn't chance making a show out of rejecting the gift, so instead he did nothing, just standing there while gazing at the puppy who seemed taken with Mokuba. Or rather, his brother being taken with the puppy.
"... Thank you, Father, for the gift. I'm sure Mokuba will enjoy your generosity as much as I have."
He didn't even make a move to touch the dog, and Mokuba noticed, hesitantly leaving with the dog before running up stairs to what Seto was sure his bedroom. Snorting, he knew that would be a mistake, when the puppy would eventually need to relieve itself, but that was the staff's problem, not his.
It was obvious that the dog was not for him. Despite Gozaburo calling it 'his present', Damien had been instructed to give it to Mokuba. Not him. It was simultaneously puzzling and expected. While it was only logical that Gozaburo would have the animal around but make it clear Seto was not to interact with it, his motivations were unclear. It was a way to put Seto under mental and emotional duress, perhaps, but only a little. And to no end that really benefitted Gozaburo. It was a lot of effort for a very small victory. While Gozaburo revelled in tormenting him, he also wouldn't waste so much energy.
Seto didn't have time to puzzle over it. If that was all Gozaburo had wanted him for, then he was perfectly happy to cut his losses and escape his presence as soon as possible.
"I'm also having a benefit dinner hosted soon in your honor," informed Gozaburo, "So you better behave. No smart-assed comments. And this time, refrain from insulting a member of the board. I don't care how ridiculous those men act after they drink, you will be respectful."
"As you wish," replied Seto, grimacing a little, "I was only trying to tell a joke to him. It wasn't my fault he didn't find it funny."
"Asking the Premier of North Korea if he enjoys blowing up babies as much as golfing is not a joke, boy. If you know what's good for you, you won't jeopardize the future of this company by insulting our important clients."
"I wasn't trying to, Father. I was only hoping to showcase my education, as Americans often enjoy dead baby jokes, and his humor is rather worldly... Or so I thought. But I guess I was misinformed, and I won't do it again. Promise."
Gozaburo narrowed his eyes, removing his cigar case from his coat pocket and popping it open. He started lighting it as he responded.
"You know better than to cross me, Seto. If you alienate any assets to Kaiba Corporation, you can be sure your future will not be with me."
This time Seto didn't say anything, but just stared back waiting to be excused so he could deal with the puppy that was probably chewing through Mokuba's bedroom at that very moment. Saying something smart would only get him in trouble, and he already pushed Gozaburo farther than he was usually allowed to go. If it hadn't been for the people standing around the foyer, the old man probably would have hit him across the face, but even those sort of reactions were starting to phase out as he grew older.
Besides, what was a smack across a face? It stung momentarily and did nothing damaging, which was why Seto lost fear in being hit several years ago. He hadn't actually avoided such confrontation since he was twelve.
"May I be excused?" He finally asked, after having stood there for several minutes while Gozaburo stared back, smoking like a chimney.
"You may return to your room," Gozaburo replied, removing his cigar from his mouth momentarily to avoid slurring his words. Seto was wise enough to know he was being banished to his quarters more than relieved of Gozaburo's presence, but he was hardly going to complain. Wandering the halls of Kaiba Mansion was hardly a pastime of his, especially with the abundance of security. With the guards, cameras, and motion sensors, his location would be monitored at all times anyway. Better to stay in his room, alone with his thoughts and work, and allotted at least some sense of privacy.
He climbed up the stairs, careful to keep his gait smooth, his pace casual. He hated the feeling of Gozaburo's shrewd, dark eyes boring into his back, but he'd be damned if he was going to look as if he was trying to escape. Gozaburo knew he wanted to be rid of his presence, but that extra satisfaction of 'scaring' him away was something Seto would not allow him.
It crossed his mind to check in on Mokuba, and he resolved to do so at some point. Now was not the time, however; he'd have to wait until Gozaburo was preoccupied with his work and unable to stop him. Maybe he'd find out Seto visited his brother (and the dog) later on, but it mattered little after the deed was done.
It came as a bit of a surprise when he found his brother lying on his bed, playing with the dog who was currently on its back whining to have its belly scratched. Mokuba was playing with it, despite the fact that the little bugger was nibbling oh-so-fiercely on the kid's fingers. They looked perfectly content with one another, although the creature twisted and jumped off the bed once Seto came inside and raced over to greet him.
"We need to name him, Nii-sama," said Mokuba, who was on his stomach laughing, "Or else I will without your help."
"Mokuba, you know that's a bad idea. Kaiba will not let you keep a pet dog."
Mokuba's face fell for a moment, his expression a thoughtful and troubled pout. He seemed to be mulling over the prospect, and looked at the furball that was running around Seto's feet trying to get his love and attention. Seto willfully ignored it, trying not to get attached to the inherently cute animal.
"But...why would he give us the dog, and not let us keep it?" Mokuba asked, though he likely knew full well that Gozaburo would. That said, cruelty wasn't necessarily a logical activity. It was true that it didn't make sense to do, but Gozaburo wasn't "sensible".
"So he could get rid of it to upset you, and thereby, upset me. It's a mind game, Mokuba, and I thought you'd realize that already. If you get attached to that dog, it will only hurt you later down the road. You'd be better off giving it up to Isono to take to the kennels instead of playing with it."
Mokuba frowned, his pout now one of determination, and he slid off the bed to grab the dog.
"I want to keep it," he insisted, "I won't let him take it away."
The dog was oblivious to their discussion, and simply continued fighting excitedly for attention from both of them. Seto avoided making eye contact with it, lest it think he was starting to like it. Or worse, that he actually did start liking it. That was the last thing he wanted to happen.
Eventually it did stop coming up to him, running back to Mokuba before the kid looked back at Seto one last time, frowning.
"Besides, you shouldn't fear him so much. What'll he do? If you don't ever try having fun, Nii-sama, he'll always win. You'll just be miserable."
"Stop it," warned Seto before walking over to his bed to fix the sheets. They were all tossed about and covered in dog hair, thanks to his brother, but at least the thing didn't end up having an accident on it. "I have work to do, and I don't need you preaching to me about things you don't quite understand."
"Fine, I'll be in my room."
He didn't mean to make Mokuba leave, but his ignorance was not appreciated. And the dog was distracting, and Seto knew just because it was his birthday didn't mean he didn't have things to do. There was a lot on his plate, and walking over to his desk after straightening out his bed, he began working on the designs for something he was still thinking over presenting to the directors.
He called the hardware a Duel Disk, an innovative hologram generator that utilized the Solid Illusions software he'd created years before. It had taken quite a bit of time (in Seto's mind) to figure out how to properly use the light generators on such a small device, but he was certain that his schematics would build a functional one. As it stood, the disk had to be thrown to make it spin and create enough motion to actually make the holograms seem "solid", but it was only a first draft...
And he wasn't even quite sure if the damn thing would ever work, but it was worth trying. He wanted to make something that would be better than his last design, considering what a success the holographic generator had become. It wasn't used for what he had originally planned it out for, but still... It was a success, all things considered.
"If only I could get a meeting with Mr. Crawford... As if Kaiba would ever let me. "Childish games", as he calls them...that won't ever happen."
Grumbling, he pushed the papers away and rested his elbows on the desk, pulling at his hair as he stared at his desk table top. It was a bad habit he'd started at the age of ten, and despite the pain he inflicted upon himself (if only for a second or two), it cleared his head long enough for him to relax, pulling himself up again and fixing his hair before rising from the desk and walking over to the window.
If he was very careful, he could figure out a way to contact Crawford in secret. But it would be tricky. And dangerous. Sure, Crawford would certainly show interest in the designs, but as long as Seto couldn't do anything to protect the designs, what would stop the man from stealing them for himself? He couldn't patent anything without using money from his adoptive father's bank account, and if he did, well... Gozaburo would find out.
"Master Seto?"
Turning around, he was surprised to find Isono standing there, but he didn't reveal anything on his face that made him believe he didn't know the security guard had been standing there for however long...
"Yes?"
"If you'll accompany me to the armory, I'd like to offer you some shooting lessons," Isono announced, and Seto only wished the man wasn't wearing sunglasses. His face was unexpressive, his eyes hidden behind the dark lenses. Seto was also somewhat taken aback by the sudden offer, and wondered what had instigated it, but he thought it over all the same.
It didn't seem like a bad idea. Gozaburo certainly had plenty of enemies, and that made them his enemies as well. That, and it was never a bad idea to be able to defend one's self. Isono, despite being only a little better acquainted with him than the majority of the security guards, seemed a more trustworthy sort thus far.
"I don't see why not," Seto accepted, still a little cautious, "Did my...father authorize this?"
Isono looked at him for a few minutes, unresponsive, and Seto was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable before he finally spoke again.
"Nothing happens here without his knowledge, sir," he replied at last. It seemed a rather noncommittal response, but Seto wasn't inclined to argue even if it was against Gozaburo's wishes. If the master of the house had a problem with it, he'd stop them. That was assuming he hadn't told Isono to teach him to shoot.
Seto followed Isono to the armory, near the dog kennels at the back of the estate, to choose a weapon. Isono had picked out a 9mm pistol, inspecting the outside before sliding the chamber back and making sure the safety was down, before handing it over to Seto.
"There are five simple rules to handling fire arms. Can you tell me one?" He asked Seto, as the young man inspected it.
"Never point at something you don't intend to shoot," he answered, "Come on Isono, I'm not stupid."
"-Do not point at anything you don't intend to shoot, keep your finger off the trigger, point the weapon down range unless firing, keep the safety on while not firing, and treat every weapon as loaded. Remember that."
Then he picked up two rounds, stuff them into his pocket while leading Seto through the door into the indoor shooting range. It was very cold inside, and looking around, there were targets lined up in each booth, hanging there as Isono placed the gun down on a table and placed some ear plugs and phones on, instructing Seto to do the same.
"Shooting is easy," he told Seto, finally taking off his glasses while releasing the slide, putting the magazine in and smiling to himself before going over to the booth, sliding on some glasses, and picking up the gun to fire. The noise was immense, for such a small weapon, and despite Seto knowing that he was going to shoot, he still jumped. It was so damn loud, and the smell of smoke was almost immediate.
"All you have to do is line up your sights, the front and back to the target, and hold your breath as you fire. Don't jam the trigger, don't shake your hands around, lean into the weapon, and you can't miss. It's easy."
Isono motioned for Seto to come over, when he approached, he was surprised that the man placed the gun in his hands. The safety was on again, and Isono placed the protective goggles on his face before standing back, moving Seto's body into correct stance and staying well behind him before speaking to him again.
"Aim for the target, line up your sights. Don't rush anything, and you'll be fine. Shoot the last five rounds, if you can."
Seto only snorted, looking down at the gun first. His position was correct, his thumbs against one another so not to let them cross and get cut by the slide shooting back rapidly after firing. His trigger finger was light against the metal, and after pushing the safety up, he raised it up and lined up the sights, biting his lip for a second before squeezing.
The first thing he noticed was that immediately after firing the first shot, he couldn't hear. It was as if he was underwater, everything around him sounding distant and muffled. The shock from that made him feel a little like things had slowed down somehow, but rather than stop, he simply took his stance again. The gun hadn't kicked much; enough that his wrists had been jerked a little, and he had to adjust them, but he certainly wasn't injured or floored.
He fired another shot, the sound muffled to almost nothing by his shocked eardrums, but still enough to deafen him even more. He was beginning to realize that his lack of hearing was only partly from the protective earmuffs. Still, he refused to be stopped unless he was actually hurt, and he wasn't. The kick didn't get to him as much after the second shot, and by the time he'd taken a fourth he had figured out how to compensate.
Seto fired the last shot from the gun, lowered it, and looked around. His ears protecting themselves from the noise made his head swim, his balance slightly compromised. He turned, pulling the earmuffs off. He felt strangely as if he was crowded, and the rubbery material sitting on his head and squeezing his ears wasn't helping. He turned to Isono, waiting for appraisal. The unpleasant scent of smoke from the shots was heavy in the air.
"Put the gun on safe and hand it over to me."
Doing what he was told, he pushed the safety down and did so, Isono making sure to point the barrel towards Seto as they did the pass. "You never point it at someone," he told him, taking it for himself and pointing to the magazine release button, "And after firing all the rounds, you push this to empty the chamber and reload. Easy."
Then he tilted the gun on its side, pulling the slide back fast before pulling it back slightly to get it caught. He was quick, so natural in how he used the gun, and Seto stared down at it, slightly fascinated, if only because he knew the simple machinery could surely kill him if used improperly.
"You check the chamber by pushing the slide forward to make sure no round is still in. Which there isn't. If there was, it would fall out and you'd have to cup one hand to catch it. However, if you aren't careful with the slide, it will cut your hand. Sometimes if the gun won't fire, it's because the bullet is stuck in the chamber, and you have to cock the slide to get it back in correctly."
"I see... This is fairly simple."
"And it only takes one misuse of it to kill someone, Seto. Remember that."
Seto bit back the retort that killing someone with the weapon wouldn't be a "misuse" in all cases, and simply hummed. Isono seemed to notice that he was holding his tongue, but kept the observation to himself as usual. Seto followed Isono out of the shooting range and onto the grounds, and returned to the mansion When they made it back to the house, Seto was escorted all the way back to his room. He assumed it was because Gozaburo had technically confined him there until further notice.
Isono parted with him at his bedroom door. Seto stepped into the room, locking the door behind him lest he be snuck up on again, and slowly strode to the window to look out. It was habit now, since there wasn't much else to do in his room outside of working. He stared out the window, sighing. He wasn't looking forward to the dinner in his "honor", or whatever would come of the dog-something he didn't want to think about in particular. He knew it could only end with Mokuba being heartbroken, no matter what the specific outcome, and he chose not to waste time or energy contemplating it.
He eventually returned to his desk to work on his schematics more, knowing he wouldn't be able to do anything with them until he was free of Gozaburo. It almost discouraged him, but he was nothing if not determined. He knew, deep inside himself, that he'd eventually be rid of Kaiba, and finally be free to follow the path he'd started with Mokuba.
But until then, he'd have to weather Gozaburo's mind games.
There was a brief knock on his door, and it opened, Mokuba returning again with the dog in his arms. He looked rather happy, for once, and didn't place the animal down but just stood in the middle of the door entry, as if about to leave again.
"Father wants you and me downstairs in the dining room for dinner at six-o-clock sharp tonight. He says he has another birthday present for you, but he didn't say what it is, Nii-sama."
"That's fine Mokuba, I'll be down there in a few minutes. Go get changed and please figure out what to do with that dog, you can't have it with you during dinner..."
The kid stuck out his tongue before turning to leave, dog yelping as he did so. Seto didn't want his brother coming down with fur all over his clothes, and smirking a bit to himself, he really did feel bad about the dog. If there was anything he could do to keep his brother's happiness...
"No matter."
He left his bedroom and trekked through the house until he made it to the rather ostentatious dining room. Gozaburo sat at the far end of the long table, as per usual, and Seto took his seat at the opposite side. There was no food on the table, and immediately Seto wondered what Gozaburo was planning to pull on him this time. The old man didn't say anything, and neither did Seto. Instead, they sat in silence, the tension mounting until Mokuba entered (sans dog).
He seemed to notice that something was wrong when he arrived, and after he turned his confused face from Seto to Gozaburo and back again, he approached the table. Rather than taking his usual seat perpendicular to his brother, he moved the chair to his side and sat. Seto half expected Gozaburo to berate him for it, but he didn't mention it.
"Now that you're both here, I can present you with your other gift," Gozaburo announced, his leg crossed over and his hands clasped. He turned his gaze on Seto, staring at him. "Seto, now that you're fifteen years old, I believe you're prepared to actually enter the business world."
Seto simply watched, waiting for the point to be made, and he heard the dining room door open. Turning, he saw Damien pushing a cart full of money into the room. He couldn't help but gasp when he saw it, and heard Mokuba do the same beside him. It was an unbelievable amount of cash, but he knew in the back of his mind that Gozaburo could piss that much money and not care.
"The money you see there has a total value of ten million dollars," Gozaburo continued, and Seto watched as one of the board of directors-Daimon Kogoro-entered the room. "I expect you to return this loan to me with interest. In one year, you are to pay me one hundred million dollars."
Seto's eyes widened, and he turned to look at Gozaburo, stunned.
"You want me to pay you ten times this amount in a year?" He queried, incredulous at the idea. He barely even had any authority at Kaiba Corporation. He was quick, and he had a sense for numbers, but to generate so much money...
"Are you refusing?" Gozaburo quirked an eyebrow. "There is collateral to this loan, Seto. If you fail, I will be returning you to the orphanage at the end of the year I've granted you. And if you forfeit now, feel free to pack your bags immediately."
Seto closed his mouth, his face settling into an expression of determination. Damien seemed to have predicted this and presented him with a clipboard with a contract attached, as well as a pen.
"I accept," he replied, his voice far more certain than he was himself, "You'll get your money."
"Good," Gozaburo smirked, and Seto schooled his face into an expression of confidence, trying to look as if he was unshakable. He knew, from the look on Gozaburo's face, that the old man thought he'd won something; perhaps it was that he was successfully molding Seto into a tool, and if he didn't reach expectations, he'd be abandoned. There was no way he could lose in this deal.
"Daimon will be your advisor and assistant," Gozaburo informed him, ignoring the servants that started delivering plates from the kitchen. Damien started carting out the money, likely to take it upstairs. "Other than that, you will be left to your own resources."
Seto simply met his gaze, not giving him so much as a nod in response. His plate was in front of him now, and Mokuba was already digging into his food. More than likely, the rest of the meal would be silent, and the two of them would be forced to sit across from Gozaburo anyway. They weren't allowed to leave until he was done eating. He made no effort to hide how pleased he was with the situation, and Seto managed not to let his disdain show on his face.
He used his energy to start formulating a plan instead, fully intending to find a way to make Gozaburo come out the loser. He was not a tool to be honed, nor a puppet to be used for entertainment. And he would prove it.
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